Chlorogenic acid suppresses miR-460a in the regulation of Bcl-2, causing interleukin-1β reduction in thiram exposed chondrocytes via caspase-3/caspase-7 pathway

Chlorogenic acid ameliorates intestinal inflammation via miRNA-microbe axis in db/db mice

Chlorogenic acid improves diabetic symptoms, including inflammation, via the modulation of the gut microbiota. However, the mechanism by which the microbiota is regulated by chlorogenic acid remains unknown. In this study, we firstly explored the effects of chlorogenic acid on diabetic symptoms, colonic inflammation, microbiota composition, and microRNA (miRNA) expression in db/db mice. The results showed that chlorogenic acid decreased body weight, improved glucose tolerance and intestinal inflammation, altered gut microbiota composition, and upregulated the expression level of five miRNAs, including miRNA-668-3p, miRNA-467d-5p, miRNA-129-1-3p, miRNA-770-3p, and miRNA-666-5p in the colonic content. Interestingly, the levels of these five miRNAs were positively correlated with the abundance of Lactobacillus johnsonii. We then found that miRNA-129-1-3p and miRNA-666-5p promoted the growth of L. johnsonii. Importantly, miRNA-129-1-3p mimicked the effects of chlorogenic acid on diabetic symptoms and colonic inflammation in db/db mice. Furthermore, L. johnsonii exerted beneficial effects on db/db mice similar to those of chlorogenic acid. In conclusion, chlorogenic acid regulated the gut microbiota composition via affecting miRNA expression and ameliorated intestinal inflammation via the miRNA-microbe axis in db/db mice.

Molecular mechanisms of environmental pollutant-induced cartilage damage: from developmental disorders to osteoarthritis

The objective of the present study was to review the molecular mechanisms of the adverse effects of environmental pollutants on chondrocytes and extracellular matrix (ECM). Existing data demonstrate that both heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As), as well as organic pollutants, including polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), bisphenol A, phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), pesticides, and certain other organic pollutants that target cartilage ontogeny and functioning. Overall, environmental pollutants reduce chondrocyte viability through the induction apoptosis, senescence, and inflammatory response, resulting in cell death and impaired ECM production. The effects of organic pollutants on chondrocyte development and viability were shown to be mediated by binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling and modulation of non-coding RNA expression. Adverse effects of pollutant exposures were observed in articular and growth plate chondrocytes. These mechanisms also damage chondrocyte precursors and subsequently hinder cartilage development. In addition, pollutant exposure was shown to impair chondrogenesis by inhibiting the expression of Sox9 and other regulators. Along with altered Runx2 signaling, these effects also contribute to impaired chondrocyte hypertrophy and chondrocyte-to-osteoblast trans-differentiation, resulting in altered endochondral ossification. Several organic pollutants including PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PAHs, were shown to induce transgenerational adverse effects on cartilage development and the resulting skeletal deformities. Despite of epidemiological evidence linking human environmental pollutant exposure to osteoarthritis or other cartilage pathologies, the data on the molecular mechanisms of adverse effects of environmental pollutant exposure on cartilage tissue were obtained from studies in laboratory rodents, fish, or cell cultures and should be carefully extrapolated to humans, although they clearly demonstrate that cartilage should be considered a putative target for environmental pollutant toxicity.

Modulation of apoptosis and Inflammasome activation in chondrocytes: co-regulatory role of Chlorogenic acid

BACKGROUND

The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein regulates programmed cell death throughout the disease conditions by upholding apoptotic pathways. However, the mechanism by which it's expressed in chondrocytes still needs to be studied in chondrocyte-related disorders. Additionally, exploring the potential therapeutic role of Chlorogenic acid (CGA) in confluence with Bcl-2 modulation is of significant interest.

METHODS

In vivo and in vitro studies were performed according to our previous methodologies. The chondrocytes were cultured in specific growth media under standard conditions after expression verification of different microRNAs through high-throughput sequencing and verification of Bcl-2 involvement in tibial growth plates. The effect of Bcl-2 expression was investigated by transfecting chondrocytes with miR-460a, siRNA, and their negative controls alone or in combination with CGA. The RNA was extracted and subjected to a reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assays were performed to visualize the intracellular localization of Bcl-2 and associated proteins related to apoptotic and inflammasome pathways. Moreover, apoptosis through flow cytometry was also performed to understand the modulation of concerning pathways.

RESULTS

The suppression of Bcl-2 induced higher apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to IL-1β maturation and affecting the inflammasome during chondrocyte proliferation. Conversely, overexpression attenuated the activation, as evidenced by reduced caspase activity and IL-1β maturation. In parallel, CGA successfully reduced siRNA-induced apoptosis by decreasing Cytochrome C (Cyto C) release from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm, which in turn decreased Caspase-3 and Caspase-7 cleavage with Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Furthermore, siBcl-2 transfection and CGA therapy increased chondrocyte proliferation and survival. The CGA also showed a promising approach to maintaining chondrocyte viability by inhibiting siRNA-induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeting Bcl-2-mediated regulation might be a possible treatment for chondrocyte-related conditions. Moreover, these results add knowledge of the complicated processes underlying chondrocyte function and the pathophysiology of related diseases, highlighting the significance of target specific therapies. Video Abstract.

Recent Updates on the Therapeutics Benefits, Clinical Trials, and Novel Delivery Systems of Chlorogenic Acid for the Management of Diseases with a Special Emphasis on Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifactorial disorder of the large intestine, especially the colon, and has become a challenge globally. Allopathic medicines are primarily available for the treatment and prevention of UC. However, their uses are limited due to several side effects. Hence, an alternative therapy is of utmost importance in this regard. Herbal medicines are considered safe and effective for managing human health problems. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), the herbal-derived bioactive, has been reported for pharmacological effects like antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anticancer, etc. This review aims to understand the antiinflammatory and chemopreventive potential of CGA against UC. Apart from its excellent therapeutic potential, it has been associated with low absorption and poor oral bioavailability. In this context, colon-specific novel drug delivery systems (NDDS)are pioneering to overcome these problems. The pertinent literature was compiled from a thorough search on various databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc., utilizing numerous keywords, including ulcerative colitis, herbal drugs, CGA, pharmacological activities, mechanism of actions, nanoformulations, clinical updates, and many others. Relevant publications accessed till now were chosen, whereas non-relevant papers, unpublished data, and non-original articles were excluded. The present review comprises recent studies on pharmacological activities and novel drug delivery systems of CGA for managing UC. In addition, the clinical trials of CGA against UC have been discussed.

Baicalin inhibits apoptosis and enhances chondrocyte proliferation in thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia in chickens by regulating Bcl-2/Caspase-9 and Sox-9/Collagen-II expressions

Avian tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a skeletal disease affecting fast growing chickens, resulting in non-mineralized avascular cartilage. This metabolic disorder is characterized by lameness and reduced growth performance causing economic losses. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of baicalin against TD caused by thiram exposure. A total of two hundred and forty (n = 240) one day-old broiler chickens were uniformly and randomly allocated into three different groups (n = 80) viz. control, TD, and baicalin groups. All chickens received standard feed, however, to induce TD, the TD and baicalin groups received thiram (tetramethylthiuram disulfide) at a rate of 50 mg/kg feed from days 4-7. The thiram induction in TD and baicalin groups resulted in lameness, high mortality, and enlarged growth-plate, poor production performance, reduction in ALP, GSH-Px, SOD, and T-AOC levels, and increased AST and ALT, and MDA levels. Furthermore, histopathological results showed less vascularization, and mRNA and protein expression levels of Sox-9, Col-II, and Bcl-2 showed significant downward trend, while caspase-9 displayed significant up-regulation in TD-affected chickens. After the TD induction, the baicalin group was orally administered with baicalin at a rate of 200 mg/kg from days 8-18. Baicalin administration increased the vascularization, and chondrocytes with intact nuclei, alleviated lameness, decreased GP size, increased productive capacity, and restored the liver antioxidant enzymes and serum biochemical levels. Furthermore, baicalin significantly up-regulated the gene and protein expressions of Sox-9, Col-II, and Bcl-2, and significantly down-regulated the expression of caspase-9 (p < 0.05). Therefore, the obtained results suggest that baicalin could be a possible choice in thiram toxicity alleviation by regulating apoptosis and chondrocyte proliferation in thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia.

Free Radical-Mediated Grafting of Natural Polysaccharides Such as Chitosan, Starch, Inulin, and Pectin with Some Polyphenols: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Bioactivities, and Applications-A Review

Polyphenols and polysaccharides are very important natural products with special physicochemical properties and extensive biological activities. Recently, polyphenol-polysaccharide conjugates have been synthesized to overcome the limitations of polysaccharides and broaden their application range. Grafted copolymers are produced through chemical coupling, enzyme-mediated, and free radical-mediated methods, among which the free radical-induced grafting reaction is the most cost-effective, ecofriendly, safe, and plausible approach. Here, we review the grafting reactions of polysaccharides mediated by free radicals with various bioactive polyphenols, such as gallic acid (GA), ferulic acid (FA), and catechins. A detailed introduction of the methods and their mechanisms for free radical-mediated grafting is given. Structural characterization methods of the graft products, including thin-layer chromatography (TLC), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are introduced. Furthermore, the biological properties of polyphenol-polysaccharide conjugates are also presented, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and neuroprotection activities, etc. Moreover, the potential applications of polyphenol-polysaccharide conjugates are described. Finally, the challenges and research prospects of graft products are summarized.

Combined oncolytic virotherapy gold nanoparticles as synergistic immunotherapy agent in breast cancer control

Combining viruses and nanoparticles may be a way to successfully treat cancer and minimize adverse effects. The current work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a specific combination of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) to enhance the antitumor effect of breast cancer in both in vitro and in vivo models. Two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and AMJ-13) and a normal epithelial cell line (HBL-100) were used and treated with NDV and/or GNPs. The MTT assay was used to study the anticancer potentials of NDV and GNP. The colony formation assay and apoptosis markers were used to confirm the killing mechanisms of NDV and GNP against breast cancer cell lines. p53 and caspase-9 expression tested by the qRT-PCR technique. Our results showed that combination therapy had a significant killing effect against breast cancer cells. The findings demonstrated that NDV and GNPs induced apoptosis in cancer cells by activating caspase-9, the p53 protein, and other proteins related to apoptosis, which holds promise as a combination therapy for breast cancer.

Ginsenoside Rg1 regulates thiram-induced chondrocytes' apoptosis and angiogenesis in broiler chickens

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a developmental cartilaginous disease due to thiram toxicity. The abnormity of chondrocytes and insufficient angiogenesis within the growth plate are the major factors leading to the occurrence of TD in most cases. In the current study, we evaluated the beneficial effects of ginsenoside (Rg1) against thiram-induced TD for knowing the possible underlying mechanisms in broiler chickens through in vivo and in vitro assessment. Arbor acres broilers (1-day-old, n = 120) were randomly divided for the in vivo evaluation. The control broilers were fed under normal conditions during the whole experiment cycle (18 days). The TD broilers were fed with 50 mg/kg thiram, while the treatment group was given 40 mg/kg of Rg1. According to our findings, thiram caused a decrease in production performance and tibia parameters (p < 0.05), which were significantly reversed by Rg1 administration. In addition, the results from the histological evaluation showed that the proliferative zone had a smaller number of blood vessels, surrounded by inviable chondrocytes, proving apoptosis during the occurrence of TD, while Rg1 treatment significantly increased blood vessels and decreased apoptotic cells. Furthermore, it was found that Rg1 effectively ameliorated the angiogenesis by regulation of HIF-1α/VEGFA/VEGFR2 signaling pathway and the chondrocytes' apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. Hence, these findings suggest that Rg1 might be a perfect choice in the prevention and treatment of TD via regulating chondrocytes apoptosis and angiogenesis. Also, it might be a potential therapeutic drug for humans to overcome different bone disorders, involving chondrocytes.

Regulatory Role of Apoptotic and Inflammasome Related Proteins and Their Possible Functional Aspect in Thiram Associated Tibial Dyschondroplasia of Poultry

Tibial dyschondroplasia debilities apoptotic and inflammasomal conditions that can further destroy chondrocytes. Inflammasomes are specialized protein complexes that process pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. Moreover, there is mounting evidence that many of the signaling molecules that govern programmed cell death also affect inflammasome activation in a cell-intrinsic way. During the last decade, apoptotic functions have been described for signaling molecules involving inflammatory responses and cell death pathways. Considering these exceptional developments in the knowledge of processes, this review gives a glimpse of the significance of these two pathways and their connected proteins in tibial dyschondroplasia. The current review deeply elaborates on the elevated level of signaling mediators of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and the inflammasome. Although investigating these pathways’ mechanisms has made significant progress, this review identifies areas where more study is especially required. It might lead to developing innovative therapeutics for tibial dyschondroplasia and other associated bone disorders, e.g., osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, where apoptosis and inflammasome are the significant pathways.